Virginia Hall

Virginia Hall wanted to be a diplomat, but the State Department kept shutting doors in her face …and then she lost her leg in a hunting accident, which seemed like she’d reached a dead end. Never one to accept defeat, she learned how to walk again on a wooden leg nicknamed “Cuthbert,” and headed straight into the world of espionage.Once she got to France, she ran circles around the Nazi intelligence services during WW2. The Gestapo actually called her “the most dangerous Allied agent in France”; her actions, and those of her compatriots, changed the course of the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rosa Bonheur was a wild, animal‑obsessed kid who drew before she could read, and knew she was meant for the world of art from an extremely young age. She didn’t set out to shock anyone; she simply refused to be anything but herself, and the world eventually had to adjust to her. She famously wore trousers (with official police permission) so that she could study horses in stockyards and slaughterhouses, and in order to to venture up rugged mountain ranges to collect more inspiration. She turned that dedication to pure research into some of the most influential paintings of her time. Registration is now open for our June 2027 Field Trip to Scotland! Visit Like Minds Travel for more information and to register! We also have some openings left for our April 2027 Field Trip to Paris! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mercy Otis Warren’s life is one long argument for the idea that political courage isn’t just found on battlefields or in legislatures; it’s found in writing, in conversations, in friendships, and in the willingness to speak plainly (and loudly) when power grows dangerous. She believed deeply that liberty required constant vigilance, and that ordinary people, especially women, have a role to play in creating the nation’s conscience. Join us on our April 2027 Field Trip to Paris! For more information and to register, visit Like Minds Travel. We hope to see you there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is one of our favorite subjects ever! In this, we've combined both parts that originally ran in 2020 to revisit Wonder Woman, mega-episode style! She was forged in the fires of the suffragist movement, and beneath her abbreviated costume beats the heart of a lion. Fighting for truth, equality, and justice, "By the Spear of Athena and the Thunderbolts of Jove!" - it's Wonder Woman! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fifty-six travelers met in the Windy City to visit some of the subjects we've covered over the years: Bertha Palmer, Frances Glessner Lee, Anne Frank, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jane Addams, and so many more. We took a good look at our favorite history hub - the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, got up close and personal with Tiffany glass, stayed in opulent splendor at the Palmer House, and ate our weight in Chicago dogs and deep dish pizza. We've learned a lot, and made memories we'll never forget, but the most important thing the city gave us was the friends we made along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bertha Palmer wore a lot of labels; Chicago socialite, patron of the arts, real-estate magnate, and all-around Gilded Age powerhouse. Her leadership at the Women's Building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition drew praise from all over the world. (and criticism, too!) We'll also tell you about her influence on Impressionist art in America, and her surprising third act as a Sarasota land developer. Visit our website for Bertha's shownotes and a list of sources, and recommendations. The History Chicks.com. On there, you will find also links and codes for all of our amazing sponsors. We have merch! Check out our shop at Dashery! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every once in a while, we like to revisit a subject near and dear to our hearts, and Audrey has always had a place in both of ours. We’ve combined both parts of our 2019 coverage into this one mega episode. Audrey was born a child of privilege, but soon became a child of war; her entertainment career still brings joy to people all over the world (including us.) All of that makes her worthy of the title of "Icon" but her surprise actions during WWII, and her humanitarian work through UNICEF made her not only a true star, but also a shining example of the best of humanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi Friend! This isn't this week's episode, it's just a couple of travel opportunities we wanted you to know about. For more information and to register for either of these Field Trips, please visit Like Minds Travel! We hope to see you there! Susan and Beckett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Queen Anne spent her whole life in the violent storms of other people’s ambitions - her family, politicians, and yes, one very dramatic friend who made sure her reputation took a beating for centuries. But behind all that noise was a steady, determined ruler who helped shape the early modern British state. For a long time she was dismissed as weak or dull, mostly because louder personalities wrote her story. Now we’re finally recognizing that Anne wasn’t a footnote - she was the quiet force that gathered a turbulent kingdom together, ready for its future as a world power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At last, at last! We have arrived at the part of her story that Laura Ingalls Wilder is most famous for; her series of eight (not yet nine!) books which tell decades of readers the romanticized story of young Laura's childhood during the turbulent time of the American frontier. If you hadn't heard about her long vertical learning curve to get here, and her history of farm journalism, you might think she was an overnight success at the age of 65 - but we know better! We'll take you through the creation of her beloved series in this, our final Laura episode in the "do-over", and how she became an American icon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices